Accessory holder with linear actuator

[0001] This application claims the benefit of US provisional patent application No. 60/991,774 filed Dec. 3, 2007.

[0002] The present invention relates to accessory holders in general and, in particular, to an accessory holder with an actuator for an accessory held in the accessory holder.

[0003] The present invention relates to an accessory holder forming part of a T-grip for firearms, cameras, and other similar devices requiring accessories. The T-grip can be mounted, as a fore grip, permanently on a pistol or a rifle or, alternatively, it may be mounted on a standard mounting rail, such as a Weaver or Picatinny Rail, or any other rail complementary to the T-grip's mounting rail. The T-grip, as known in the art, may further include an accessory holder for holding accessories, such as a flashlight or a laser pointer. Activation or deactivation of the accessory, when in the holder, presents a difficulty to the user who must remove his hand from the grip in order to reach the switch on the accessory. There are known conventional T-grips with a button or actuator on one side or in the handle, for activating the accessory. However, these actuators are in a fixed location and cannot be adjusted for different users.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a long felt need for an accessory holder with a flexible actuating mechanism, and it would be very desirable to have an accessory holder, especially in a T-grip, which includes a versatile switching mechanism for activation from different locations on the holder.

[0005] The present invention relates to an accessory holder including a switching mechanism for actuating an accessory in the holder. The switching mechanism is operable from at least two locations on the holder, for example, from either side of the grip and/or from the rear, so as to turn the accessory on or off.

[0006] There is thus provided, according to the present invention, an accessory holder including a housing for holding an accessory and a switching mechanism operable independently from at least two locations on the holder for actuating an accessory in the housing.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment, the switching mechanism includes three actuating buttons, one on each side of the housing and one on the rear.

[0008] According to another embodiment, the switching mechanism includes a track defined along the holder, a base reciprocating mounted in the track, an actuator coupled to the base and arranged to be disposed adjacent a switch on an accessory in the housing, and at least two actuating buttons coupled to the base for activating the switch by means of the actuator.

[0009] There is further provided, according to the invention, a method for forming an accessory holder, the method including providing a housing for holding an accessory and coupling, to the housing, a switching mechanism which is operable independently from at least two locations on the holder for actuating an accessory in the housing.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the switching mechanism includes a track defined along the holder, a base reciprocating mounted in the track, an actuator coupled to the base and arranged to be disposed adjacent a switch on an accessory in the housing, and at least two actuating buttons coupled to the base for activating the switch by means of the actuator, and the step of actuating an accessory includes causing linear motion of the base so as to cause the actuator to engage the accessory.

[0014] The present invention relates to an accessory holder including a switching mechanism for actuating an accessory in the holder. The switching mechanism is characterized by being operable from at least two locations on the holder, for example, from either side of the grip and/or from the rear. Thus, left- and right-handed users can utilize a single holder and, if the fingers are occupied, the accessory can be actuated from the rear, using the thumb or the web between the thumb and index finger.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a T-grip 10 constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. T-grip 10 includes a handle 16 and a mounting rail 70, as in conventional T-grip handles. T-grip 10 further includes an accessory housing 20 which, in this figure, is holding a flashlight 40. Mounting rail 70 can be any mounting rail complementary to a rail on a device on which the T-grip is to be mounted, for example a Picatinny rail. It is a particular feature of the present invention that T-grip 10 also includes a switching mechanism 50, allowing the user to turn the accessory on and off by means of any one of a plurality of actuators, here illustrated as three different buttons 55 on grip 10. This arrangement overcomes the difficulty of accessing the activating switch on the flashlight or other accessory in the holder.

[0016] A switching mechanism 50, according to one embodiment of the invention, is shown in an exploded illustration in FIG. 2. Switching mechanism 50 includes a transfer mechanism that enables the user to create linear motion for pressing a push button switch 42 on the rear of an accessory 40 in the holder, without having to touch the push button 42 with his finger. Switching mechanism 50 includes a base 52 which is reciprocating inserted in a track 12, which may be defined underneath mounting rail 70. Switching mechanism 50 further includes an actuator 54, which is connected to base 52, preferably by a pin 53. Actuator 54 includes a protrusion 57 for releasably engaging push button 42. Thus, as base 52 is urged towards the accessory, push button 42 is pressed by protrusion 57, thereby switching on the accessory.

[0017] In order to permit the user to releasably push base 52 forwards, switching mechanism 50 may include a button 55 for engagement by a finger of the user on each side of the grip, attached to base 52, as through a throughgoing bore 15 on grip 10. Buttons 55 preferably are wave shaped, having one side higher than the other. This permits the button to be coupled to base 52 with either the higher or lower portion of the wave towards the user. In this way, the grip can be customized for the comfort of the user, depending on the length of the user's fingers.

[0018] Switching mechanism 50 may further include a rear button 55′ on the rear end of the grip, attached to the rear end of base 52. Rear button 55′ may include a concave engaging surface 65 complementary to the U-shaped web formed between the thumb and the index finger when spread apart. Thus, rear button 55′ may be pressed by the user holding the grip, merely by pressing the inside of his palm against the grip, without moving any of his fingers. Buttons 55 may be attached to base 52 via apertures 56, for example, with fastening pins 57. Similarly, button 55′ may be attached to base 52 with a fastening pin 57′. It will be appreciated that switching mechanism 50 preferably includes a spring 59, or any other mechanism, for returning base 52 to its released position after push-button 42 is pressed. Thus, by pushing any one of the buttons independently, the user causes reciprocating motion of the base to turn the accessory on and off.

[0019] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, switching mechanism 50 includes a safety latch 60 for securing base 52 in the non-activating position. Safety latch 60 prevents undesired activation of flashlight 40 or other accessory, in case of accidental pressure on buttons 55 or 55′, applied by the user. Safety latch 60, in the illustrated embodiment, is inserted in apertures 51 on base 52 as through a throughgoing bore 11 on grip 50, thereby securing base 52 relative to track 12. Safety latch 60 has a cut-away middle portion 61, and edges 63 which are substantially the same size as apertures 51. When edge 63 is disposed inside aperture 51, base 52 is locked relative to the holder.

[0020] T-grip 10 may further include an additional switch, as a part of grip handle 16, allowing the user to activate or deactivate the accessory, merely by applying pressure to grip handle 16. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, grip handle 16 includes grip linings 14, and a contact switch or a push button underneath (not shown). Applying pressure to grip linings 14 activates or deactivates the switch, which may be wired directly to the accessory, inside accessory holder 20. If desired, grip handle 16 can be hollow, as for holding batteries.

[0021] T-grip 10 presents a solution for firm holding of a sub-machine gun or rifle with an electric accessory mounted to it, allowing a convenient activation of the accessory by using either hand of the user. It can also be used as a grip mounted on any device having a complementary mounting rail.

[0022] While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. It will further be appreciated that the invention is not limited to what has been described hereinabove merely by way of example. Rather, the invention is limited solely by the claims which follow.